THE ORCHID REVIEW. 201 
Mr. Johnson seems to be as successful with this group as with others under 
his charge, and indeed the collection generally is in excellent condition. 
Mr. Statter has had many of his choicest plants painted, mostly by 
Macfarlane, and thus we were able to renew an acquaintance with some of 
the gems of the collection not now in flower, which increased the interest 
of the visit. 
POISONERS AND THIEVES IN THE WILSON ORCHID 
COLLECTION. 
UNDER this title appears the following note in the issue of American 
Gardening for May 20th last (p. 370):—‘‘The Orchid collection of 
Mrs. George B. Wilson, which is contained in her well-kept greenhouses on 
Forty-third and Walnut Streets, Philadelphia, Pa., has fast been rising into 
the front ranks of fame. The rich collection of the late Erastus Corning, 
of Albany, N.Y., now rests in these houses, and the present owner, who isa 
keen connoisseur, is continually enriching an already valuable collection by 
the purchase of rarities. Though not much spoken of as yet outside 
Orchid growing circles, the Wilson collection is one of the very notable in 
America to-day. The owner has the sympathy of all true horticulturists in 
the very cruel and malicious attacks that have been made upon her 
possessions of late. 
“On Saturday, May 6th, two visitors came to inspect the Orchids, and 
spent an unusually long time among the Lelias. One of the assistant 
gardeners was with the strangers a short time, and he says the men talked 
like experts. That same night the head gardener came to Mrs. Wilson 
saying that something was the matter with the superb piece of a very fine 
form of Lelia elegans alba which had come in the Corning collection. It 
had thirty-five bulbs, and was just coming into flower. It appeared, 
however, to be drooping and sickly. Everything was done to save it, but it 
shrivelled and died. It is doubtful if another such piece can be procured to 
fill the blank. The leaves of the dead plant were sent to a chemist, who 
found that in the base of the leaves there was a strong preparation of some 
alkali, probably chlorate of potash, which had evidently been poured on in 
malicious intent. 
‘‘ What could have inspired the perpetration of such an outrage is quite 
unknown, and there is no definite information as to who are the criminals 
concerned. This is the second time that the Wilson collection has been 
injured. Only very recently, Mrs. Wilson informs us, she lost by theft two 
plants of the rare Lelia maijalis alba. It is to be hoped that the guilty 
parties will be caught and duly punished.” 
oe eed 
